KDDI Open Innovation Fund III Invests in Solution-based IoT Platform Provider MODE

February 12, 2025

KDDI CORPORATION

KDDI invested in MODE, Inc. (Headquarters: San Mateo, California, United States; CEO: Gaku Ueda; hereinafter "MODE"), the provider of the "BizStack" solution-based IoT platform and the AI-based "BizStack Assistant" for corporate customers, through the KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (operated by Global Brain Corporation; hereinafter "KOIF III"), which aims to incubate new business co-creations with promising venture startups.

MODE supports efficiency and innovation in worksite operations by offering the BizStack solution-based IoT platform. In addition, BizStack Assistant, an AI assistant that was officially released in 2024 and understands current conditions in the worksite, combines generative AI with IoT technology to provide solutions for improving the quality of operations by elevating real-time data in increasingly complex worksite operations from visualization to usability. Going forward, MODE will promote the evolution and technology integration of AI technology as well as strengthen its expansion into the US market while applying the experience and results that the company has achieved in Japan.

Through this investment, KDDI will leverage its assets in telecommunications, IoT platform technologies, etc. to support MODE's vision of "realizing the next-generation work environment where humans and AI work together."

As "the company that customers feel closest to," KDDI will continue to promote business co-creation through investment in promising startup companies, and create new business models together with customers and partners.

(Reference)

• ■Overview of MODE

  • (1)

    • Company name

      : MODE, Inc.

  • (2)

    • Headquarters

      : San Mateo, California, United States

  • (3)

    • Date founded

      : July 2014

  • (4)

    • Business activities

      : providing sensor platforms and related software services

  • (5)

    • Representative

      : CEO/Co-Founder Gaku Ueda

  • (6)

    • URL

      : https://www.tinkermode.com/

• ■About KDDI Open Innovation Fund

  KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture fund that supports a broad range of venture companies. The currently active KDDI Open Innovation Fund III focuses on the areas of AI, IoT, data marketing, fintech, B2B SaaS, and entertainment with a total operating fund of 30 billion yen.